In December 2023, Energy Central celebrated top contributors in the Energy & Sustainability Network at the ‘Top Voices’ event. Winners were featured in 6 articles, demonstrating community recognition. The platform enables professionals to share their work, interact with colleagues, and collaborate with influencers. Congratulations to the 2023 Top Voices: David Hunt, Germán Toro Ghio, Schalk Cloete, and Dan Yurman for demonstrating their expertise. – Matt Chester, Energy Central
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This commitment shows how important the company is in creating future energy solutions.
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Australia’s CSIRO has the potential to greatly improve solar technology, highlighting AES Corporation’s commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions.
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AES Indiana has obtained approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission for an independent battery energy storage system in Pike County.
Today, Juan Ignacio Rubiolo, Executive Vice President of AES Corporation and President of Energy Infrastructure, shared exciting news about the company’s continued leadership in energy storage and its unwavering commitment to fostering innovation during his recent address. In his remarks, he highlighted a groundbreaking discovery by researchers at Australia’s CSIRO that has the potential to revolutionize solar technology. This further underlines AES Corporation’s dedication to pioneering sustainable energy solutions, showcasing its determination to stay at the forefront of industry advancements.
It appears that time is slipping away from us at a speed beyond comprehension, and we seem to have completely overlooked the moments when we used to pray for the electricity to go out or when we scrambled to adjust the TV screen with our familiar, characteristic expressions.
“Dad, the batteries were dead…” The words were uttered with a mixture of annoyance and resignation, echoing the familiar chorus of frustration found in every household, the ongoing battle against the inevitable power drain of favorite gadgets. The disappointment that accompanied the death of the batteries in our toys and transistor radios was palpable, a testament to our reliance on those trustworthy “Eveready” batteries to power our entertainment, only to let us down. And then there were the car batteries, oh the frustration when they decided to stop working, seemingly at the most inopportune moments. It was in these instances that the burden of our dependence on technology and convenience became starkly apparent. Dad’s expression conveyed his disappointment as a forgotten phrase slipped from his lips, and the misery continued as the light bulb began to flicker, signaling the electrical system’s unwarranted fluctuations before plunging us into darkness. What a horror it was.
Nevertheless, the battery’s remarkable journey through history is worthy of admiration. In 1800, the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta made a groundbreaking invention with the creation of the first real battery. Constructed from copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) discs, separated by a cloth soaked in salt water, his invention produced a steady and stable flow of current when wires were connected to both ends of the battery. Volta’s pioneering work introduced a reliable and unwavering source of power, symbolizing progress and opening up new possibilities. Yet, it is important to acknowledge that Volta was not the original innovator; precedents of batteries can be traced back to 250 BC and have ancient Mesopotamian roots.
Certainly, advancements in electrical systems have been significant over the centuries. The persistent challenge of maintaining stability in voltage and frequency for electrical power systems has spurred continuous development. While this issue has been a longstanding dilemma, a solution is now within reach. Interestingly, historical records indicate that a resolution to this problem was recognized as early as 250 BC, albeit with varying technological capabilities.
In 2018, the legendary AES from the United States, recognized for its pioneering contributions to the global electricity industry, and the renowned Siemens from Germany, a key player with a rich heritage in the field, joined forces to create Fluence Energy, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the sector.
Researchers have also recently discovered that cascading ceramic particles have the ability to store solar energy for long periods of time, outperforming established technologies such as mirrors and molten salts. These particles possess exceptional heat resistance and can endure temperatures of up to 1000 degrees Celsius, allowing them to retain solar energy for up to 15 hours. Moreover, these innovative batteries boast enhanced durability and cost half as much as conventional batteries, providing a more cost-effective alternative to molten salt systems. AES remains dedicated to leveraging pioneering technologies to facilitate the energy transition, with Cascading Ceramic Particles representing just one of these groundbreaking advancements promising to enable solar energy storage and support the transition to renewable energy sources.
In another notable development, AES Indiana has obtained approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission for an independent battery energy storage system in Pike County.
This project represents a significant advancement in AES’ sustainability goals by integrating up to 1,300 MW of wind, solar, and battery energy storage over a period of five years. AES Indiana President and CEO Ken Zagzebski expressed pride in the company’s progress towards cleaner and more efficient energy solutions. He emphasized the importance of a balanced and responsible energy transition. The recently approved Pike County Battery Energy Storage Project will be located at AES Indiana’s Petersburg Generating Station. This project is specifically designed to provide 200 MW of installed capacity and 800 MWh of dispatchable energy. The system is anticipated to be operational by December 2024 and is expected to substantially improve grid reliability. AES Indiana aims to quadruple its renewable energy and energy storage capacity from 400 MW to 2,200 MW by 2027, effectively showcasing and reinforcing its commitment to sustainable energy solutions.